NAIROBI, Kenya- The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has suspended the Migwani Ward by-election in Mwingi West Constituency, Kitui County, after the High Court issued interim orders halting the poll for 30 days.
The court issued the orders on October 22 in Kitui High Court Constitutional Petition E011 of 2026, filed by Francis Musili Kauta against IEBC and three other respondents.
The petition is scheduled for hearing on November 11, the commission said in a public notice on Tuesday.
IEBC has urged residents and other stakeholders to take note of the suspension and said it will issue further updates through its official channels.
The orders interrupt preparations for the November 17 vote, which was called after the ward’s former Member of the County Assembly, Harrison Maluki Mawia, left the seat to become Clerk of the Kitui County Assembly.
Wiper-UDA contest put on hold
The by-election had drawn attention as a contest between Wiper, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The race was being watched as a local test of Wiper’s political influence in Kitui and UDA’s efforts to build support in the region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Wiper had named Mwangangi Munyoki as its candidate after five other party aspirants dropped their bids in support of him. UDA’s candidate was Kimanzi Mwendwa.
IEBC had cleared six candidates to contest the ward before the court issued its orders.
The suspension leaves the candidates’ campaigns on hold while the petition is before the court.
The IEBC notice did not detail the petition’s grounds, and the court is yet to hear the case.
The November 11 hearing is expected to determine the next steps in the legal process.
The 30-day interim orders remain in force as the petition awaits consideration.
Further directions from the court could affect the timing and continuation of the by-election.
